Trade Show News

The Kansas Legislature has passed a bill that would allow municipalities to extend liquor store, restaurant, and bar operating hours to 23 hours a day, seven days a week, during the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The bill also permits homeowners to rent properties from May to July without city or county obstacles, aiming to accommodate the estimated 650,000 soccer fans expected in the Kansas City area.

Kansas City is entering a pivotal moment for B2B events, trade shows, and experiential marketing in 2026, with increased convention traffic and brands investing more in in-person experiences. The city is a strategic destination for national and regional trade shows, corporate conventions, and brand activations, offering scale without the congestion of larger markets. Event planners are advised to prioritize engagement-first design, interactive layouts, and strategic partnerships for success.

Bisnow is hosting the Kansas City Real Estate Construction & Development Summit, bringing together top developers, investors, and city leadership. The summit will explore multifamily, mixed-use, adaptive reuse, policy incentives, and capital strategies shaping Kansas City's growth. This event is relevant to the broader business environment that supports the trade show industry.

Loews Kansas City Hotel, which features 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space and connects to the Kansas City Convention Center, has launched 'Alchemy by Loews,' a new brand-wide beverage program. This program aims to elevate the guest experience with intentional, balanced, and artisanal drink offerings.

Visit KC reports multiple new hotels are slated to open in Kansas City throughout 2026, including a dual-hotel AC Hotel & Residence Inn by Marriott and an Aiden by Best Western. These new properties will offer additional accommodations and flexible event spaces, bolstering the city's capacity for meetings and conventions.

Visit KC has announced its 2026 Board of Directors, comprising up to 11 civic and business leaders from the greater Kansas City area, with Stacey Paine as Chair and Brian Johnson as Vice Chair. The board plays a crucial role in guiding the organization's efforts to promote Kansas City as a destination for meetings and events.

Educators convened at the SHAPE America Convention and Expo in Kansas City from March 17–20, 2026, where the ongoing collaboration between SHAPE America and the U.S. Marine Corps was highlighted. The convention serves as a platform for physical education and health educators to share strategies for improving programs nationwide.

The Builders, a chapter of the AGC, announced the finalists for its 2026 Building Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding companies in the commercial construction industry for their contributions to advancing the industry, innovation, and community impact. Winners will be revealed on June 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bishop-McCann, an event management and incentive company, has acquired MTI Events, a Kansas City-based event and incentive travel company. This marks Bishop-McCann's third acquisition in five years, highlighting growth in the incentive travel sector.

Missouri cannabis industry leaders gathered in Kansas City for the Greenway Best of the Industry Awards 2026 at Warehouse on Broadway, recognizing standout businesses and individuals. The event, which saw over 200,000 votes cast, also announced that MJ Unpacked will return to Kansas City in Fall 2026, following its May event in Atlantic City.

The 2026 Boomer Circle Summit is scheduled to take place at the Loews Kansas City Hotel from August 16-19, 2026. The hotel offers 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, directly connected to the Kansas City Convention Center.

The iBuild Construction Career Day 2026, an annual exposition hosted by NICE, will take place on April 28, 2026, at Hale Arena within the Kansas City Convention Center. The event aims to connect thousands of middle and high school students with hands-on activities and career opportunities in the built-environment workforce.

KC Nerd Con 2026, a celebration of anime, video games, and pop culture, is scheduled to take place at the Overland Park Convention Center. This inclusive event invites enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy immersive experiences, connect with fellow fans, and explore a vendor floor.

Fire Rescue International 2026, a three-day trade show and conference for the firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue, and fire safety industry, is scheduled for August 12-14, 2026, at the Kansas City Convention Center. The event will bring together fire chiefs, emergency responders, and solution providers.

Planet Comicon Kansas City 2026 is scheduled for March 27-29 at the Kansas City Convention Center's Bartle Hall, featuring a star-studded lineup including Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Kiefer Sutherland, Priscilla Presley, and William Shatner. The annual comic book and pop culture convention is one of the largest in the country, offering celebrity panels, autograph sessions, an exhibitor floor, and a cosplay contest.

Slated to open in 2026, the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza will become a premier public space in Downtown Kansas City, offering multifunctional outdoor areas adjacent to the Kansas City Convention Center and nearby hotels. Designed to host standalone events and complement gatherings at surrounding venues, the plaza will feature flexible spaces including an event plaza, sloped lawn, pavilion plaza, and oval lawn.

Construction on the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall and the 18th & Lydia Parking Garage in Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine District is progressing, with the parking garage expected to open for public use by June 1, 2026.

Construction on the 18th & Lydia Parking Garage in Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine District is progressing well and is on track to open for public use by June 1, 2026. This infrastructure project is part of the broader 'Revive the Vine' initiative, aiming to support the district's revitalization.

Conceptual designs for a proposed $175 million convention and event center in Springfield, Missouri, were revealed by Kansas City-based architectural firm Populous. The planned renovation and expansion includes a 65,000-square-foot modernized exhibit hall, a 30,000-square-foot grand ballroom, and 16,000 square feet of breakout and meeting rooms. This project aims to boost sales tax revenue for the city.

Kansas City-based architectural firm Populous Inc. revealed concept designs for a 250,000-square-foot downtown convention and events center in Springfield, Missouri. The design, which utilizes the existing Springfield Expo Center, features intersecting walls of white stone and glass, a green roof with solar collectors, and an elevated ballroom. Voters will decide on April 7 whether to approve an additional 3% lodging tax to fund the project, which aims to position the community for growth and be open year-round.